Clippers Win, but All Is Not Perfect : Pro basketball: Before game, Manning’s agent stops just short of asking for trade. Then L.A. beats Indiana, 122-107, and ends seven-game slump.

You know it must be a strange day when:

--The Clippers win.

--Danny Manning comes to a town where he hasn’t heard he is about to be traded to the local team.

Both happened Tuesday at Market Square Arena, where the Clippers beat the Indiana Pacers, 122-107, to end a seven-game losing streak and Manning actually discovered a new rumor.

Maybe it’s simply that there are so many of them now--there is little question the Clippers are dangling, if not shopping, him as trade bait in hopes of acquiring a starting point guard or center, in that order. The one he hadn’t heard, strangely, was an oldie: a trade to the Pacers in a package that would include sending Vern Fleming to Los Angeles.

Ron Grinker, the agent for the former No. 1 draft choice, has no problems with that, or most any other deal. So far, he has stopped short of flat-out asking the Clippers to trade Manning. But feel free to read between the lines.

“With the makeup of the team, we’d have no complaints if Danny were playing elsewhere,” said Grinker, who drove from his home in Cincinnati to attend the game. “It’s very clear they have an abundance of forwards. . . . They desperately need a point guard. Some forwards out of the four they have has to be the trade bait to procure a top point guard.

“I’d like to do whatever is in the best interest of Danny Manning and the Clippers. That doesn’t mean Danny Manning wants to be traded. But it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be traded. I think you’re getting the answer by my non-answer.

“We’d do anything to accommodate the Clippers, because they have been more than fair to Danny. They have compensated him very well, and he apparently does not play up to their expectations.”

Where does that conclusion come from?

“By his role on the team,” Grinker said. “It is obvious, because (owner) Donald Sterling made it very clear to me when I was out (in Los Angeles) a couple weeks ago that he didn’t think Danny Manning was a very good basketball player . . . Donald Sterling said he felt he can’t shoot the ball, can’t pass the ball and is not a very good rebounder and that he is very disappointed in him and that maybe he was just a good college player.

“That disappoints me, because I would hope Donald gets everything he hopes for. Bob Steele (outgoing chief executive officer of the Sterling Corp.) and (General Manager) Elgin Baylor could not have been more honest and helpful and encouraging in the years we’ve been with the organization, but I don’t think the feelings are unanimous.”

Sterling could not be reached for comment.

So trade away, Grinker unofficially tells the Clippers, even offering to consider restructuring Manning’s contract, which calls for $2.2 million this season and $4.9 million over the next two, if that will help deal with a team that has salary cap problems. The emotional ties to this organization have become microscopic.

“If they trade me, they trade me,” said Manning, who had a season-high 25 points in the win. “I’m not trying to sound tough or play hardball. But I understand that (trades) is part of the business.”

This losing business was halted for at least one night, as the Clippers got 25 points and 20 rebounds, also both season highs, from Benoit Benjamin and won for the first time since Dec. 23. The 122 points is their second-highest point total of the season, trailing only the 137 at Denver Dec. 1.

“We desperately need that one,” Coach Mike Schuler said. “We played well. It was as good a game as we’ve played in a long time.”

Clippers Notes

An exact date for Ron Harper’s return could be made by as soon as tonight, after Harper stops in Cleveland for a checkup before re-joining the team in Washington. “I don’t think he’ll be given the green light to play right away,” said trainer Keith Jones, who has helped monitor Harper’s comeback from reconstructive knee surgery last Jan. 23. “But the way things are going, they may lessen the time. I think Ron is coming along great. His strength is better, and with strength comes confidence. I think he’s getting close.”

Although no official announcement was made, General Manager Elgin Baylor said Jay Edwards, who failed his rookie drug test last season, has been taken off the suspended list and will begin practicing with the team when it returns Sunday. The Clippers will then have a two-week evaluation period before deciding to activate or waive the former Big Ten player of the year, unless he goes on the injured list. The Clippers are already full at guard and may activate Harper soon, so Edwards’ chances of staying are slim.

Coaches were not included in the team meeting Baylor convened Monday night at the hotel to discuss recent problems. “I endorsed it whole-heartedly,” Coach Mike Schuler said. “If I was the general manager, I’d have done the same thing. . . . It was not a bitch, gripe or complain session.” Although Baylor said he had decided before the trip to join the team at some point, Schuler said he was told about it Sunday at New York. . . . Charles Smith did not suit up for the second consecutive game because of a twisted left knee.